Outdoor play gym



y 20, 1965 J. A. CONT] 3,195,845

OUTDOOR PLAY GYM Filed Aug. 5, 1963 2 Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTOR.

JOH N A. CONTI BY Mag M ATTO R N EYS July 20, 1965 J. A. CONTI 3,195,845

OUTDOOR PLAY GYM Filed Aug. 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

INVENTOR.

JOHN A. CONTI ATTO R N EYS United States Patent 3,195,845 I OUTDUOR PLAY GYM John A. Conti, Dothan, Ala., assignor to Hedstrom Union Company, Fitchburg, Mass.

Filed Aug. 5, 1963, Ser. No. 299,784 2 Claims. (Cl. 248-163) This invention relates to an outdoor play gym. It relates more particularly to an improved supporting structure for swings, slides, teeter boards and like childrens play equipment.

'A play gym usually comprises an elevated elongated cylindrical crossbar member from which is suspended the swings, slides, and other active elements of the gym. The horizontal member is supported by pairs of diverging tubular legs connected to the opposite ends of the horizontal member and extending downwardly-outwardly to the ground. For obvious reasons it is desirable to construct these devices so that they can be readily assembled and disassembled by the ultimate purchaser. Accordingly, their legs are usually removably secured to the horizontal member by means of nuts and bolts, or they are removably connected thereto by being slid into depending sockets integral with the horizontal member.

While these modes of securing the legs to the crossbar are structurally adequate, they have not proved entirely satisfactory in use. In the former case, tools are required, and it takes considerable time and effort to put up or take down the gym because one has to manipulate the several nut-bolt pairs that are required to adequately join each leg to the crossbar. Additionally, after the assembled gym has been exposed to the elements for only a short time, the nuts and bolts become rusted to such a degree that they cannot be disengaged at all. And very often these small parts become lost or broken.

The latter described gym construction employing sockets to connect the legs to the crossbar is also disadvantaged even though in requiring no small parts, it is easily assembled because the legs have a dangerous tendency to slip or pull out of the sockets when the play gym is tilted or the crossbar is pulled sideways by the childs 1 strut members secured between the legs and the crossbar and spanning those joints. number of small parts and manipulations required to This of course, adds to the assemble the apparatus and in the case of the secondmentioned type of construction ignores the very reason for turning to a socket-type of joint in the first instance.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a play gym which requires no screws or bolts or tools to attach the legs to the crossbar but which may be quickly assembled and then subsequently easily disassembled for shipping or storage.

A further object of this invention is to provide a play gym whose supporting legs can be readily detached from the crossbar when desired, yet which do not pull way therefrom when the gym is tilted or rocked in use.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an outdoor play gym having leg-crossbar joints which remain extremely rigid and rugged and require no additional reinforcement.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

I ,The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction herein- 'ice after set forth, and the scope of the invention will be set forth in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor play gym embodying the features of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view on a larger scale showing the strap forming part of a joint member of the apparatus of FIG. 1 prior to its mounting on the crossbar;

FIG. 3 is an end view on a still larger scale showing the strap of FIG. 2 after it hasbeen formed about and secured to the crossbar;

PEG. 4 is a perspective view on the scale of FIG. 3 of the closure member which forms the remainder of the joint member of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view from below of the apparatus of FIG. 3 after installation of the two closure members and showing also the end portion of one leg, and

FIG. 6 is a side View of the joint member of FIG. 5 with the leg inserted into the joint member.

Referring to the drawings, the invention play gym comprises an elevated tubular frame member or crossbar 10 from which is suspended the usual swings, ladders, and such (not shown). The crossbar 10 is supported in its elevated position by pairs of elongated tubular legs 11 extending downwardly-outwardly from the ends of the member 10 to the ground. These legs are secured to the crossbar by means of a pair of end joint members indicated generally at 12. Each end of the horizontal frame member It) is fitted with a generally hemispherical plug 13 which covers the exposed ends of the crossbar and which serves a decorative function as well. Finally, a pair of horizontal bars 14 are connected between the legs of each leg pair on which the children may swing and which serve also to stabilize the gym.

Referring to FIG. 2, each joint member 12 comprises under this invention, an elongated, generally rectangular flat metal strap 15 arranged crosswise with respect to member 10 near one end thereof. Each strap 15 has opposite end portions of increased width which form pairs of generally rectangular side-extending wings 16 running an appreciable distance along the length of the strap. Referring first to FIG. 2 and then to FIG. 3, in forming each joint member 12, the portions of strap 15 on each side of its width axis are bent downwardly around member 10 so as to follow the contour thereof, until the end portions of the strap 15 are disposed substantially evenly and at an angle of about 3045 from one another. Following this, the two portions of strap 15 lying below member 10 are symmetrically bowed or curved inwardly about the longitudinal axis of the strap forming a pair of opposed diverging shells or half sleeves indicated at 17.

As best seen in FIG. 3, when each end portion of strap 15 is bowed or curved as described and its wings 16 are drawn toward one another, the section of shell 17 extending between point 18 on the longitudinal axis of the strap where the strap on being bowed first disengages from the side wall of crossbar 10 and the points 19, 19 where the wings 16 join the main body of the strap is formed into a generally triangular saddle 21 creating between the strap and crossbar 10 a wedge-shaped well or pocket 22 whose opposite walls are bowed or curved along mutually perpendicular axes. The two pockets 22 extend from a line approximately even with the bottom of member 10 to the respective points 18 becoming gradually narrower and less curved as they approach those points. After the strap 15 has been fully formed and bowed about member 10 as described above, it is permanently secured thereto as by spot-welding at the points 23 spaced along the opposite member 10.

side margins of strap where Further in accordance with this invention, closure means indicated generally at 24,;FIGS. 4 and 5, arepro 'vided for conipletin'go'r closing. the two shells 17, 1 7 and also for connecting them together. These'closure 'rneans r 24 are shown'more particularly to comprise a pair of rigid plates or stampings each having a generally isoscelestriangular-shaped main body'portion'25 and a pair of similar relatively wide rectangular Wings 26 extending along the equal sides of body portion'25; The opposite wings 26 .are the same length'as' wings 16 of strap 15 and those engage the wall of 7 they are also bowed or curved upwardly-outwardly from V the same side of portion so as to have the same radius of curvature as wing portions. 16. Theapex of base'portion 25 is trimmed oil at 27, FIG. 4;,to facilitate the-forms ing of member 24 and to reduce the likelihood of tearing at the junction of the two wing portions 26. r The ends of tioning as a secondary safety means and also. for, limiting the distance to which the legs can be inserted into the sockets. r 71 V It will be appreciated from the foregoing then, that the instant outdoor play gym may be assembled'and' disassembled extremely quicklyandeasily by one person possessing no special tools. Further, there areqno screws, bolts or'othersmall parts to become broken or lost. In fact, the basic frame construction consists of' only five separate parts each ofwhich isin and of itself large and rugged. While the invention play gym, the legs are rigidly securedto the crossbar producing an extremely sturdy overall unit which does not pull apart when rocked'or tilted. 'Yet, these legs may be' readily removed when desider to knock down the play gym for storage.

It will thus be seen that the objects -set' forth above,

1 among those madelapparent from the preceding description, are efiiciently attained and, sincecefrtain changes wings26 at the narrow ends of closure means 24 are each f provided with an integral L-shaped detent 28 which over} hangs the concave side of the wing for reasons'that will become apparent hereinafter.

As best seen in' FIG. 5 a pair of reinforcing members 24' may befmade in the above construction without departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description or. shown in the J accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as" illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

are arranged face-to-face with their main body portions 25 in contact and are then slid sideways'into the region between the two-shel1s-17 so that their body portions 25 bridge over theispace between the two shells. When the closure means are so positioned their wings 26 overlap a marginal portion of the corresponding wings 16 of each shell 17 and also close one halfof the open space between the side edges of each shell17. Tofacilitate the position-.

ing of members 24 each wing 26 is bent slightly'parallel to its edge to form asmall step 29 spaced from the edge of the wing which is adapted to register with the edge ofwing 16 when the members 24 are properly seated.- Thus, when the two closure'members 24 are positioned, they combine with the shells 17 to provide a pair of generally cylindrical downwardly-outwardly extending open-ended sockets each suitable for slidably receiving the upper'endof atubular leg 11. The two closure members 246i each joint member 12 are then permanently secured in placeas by spotwelding them to the side edge marginsof wings 16 atpoints'31 spaced therealong and to each other at points 32' so that the crossbar 10, strap 15 and closure means 24 all form a rigid, integral unit. 7 a 1 Further under the'invention and referring now to FIGS.

5 and 6, the end of each leg 11 for receiving into a joint member 12 is provided with an integral tongue extension said crossbar near an end thereof, said strap havingan intermediate portion in conforming engagement with and secured to. a circumferential wall portion of said crossbar and having opposite unengaged end-portions :bowed in- 23. 'Tongue extension 23 is generally triangular but is 'curved to conform to the curvatureaof the leg. 'In other words, it is'spade-shaped. In assembling the gym, then,

leg 11 is slid into a joint'member 12 and is oriented so that its tongue extension 33 registers with pocket 22. The I shape and size of tongue 33 issuch thatit can be forced or wedged int-o the pocket to such an extent that its tip' almost reaches point 18 at which time the tongue 33 is wardly about the longitudinal axis of said strap thereby forming a pair of. diverging opposing cylindrical shells,

the portion of each of'said shells adjacent said crossbar being generally saddle-shaped for defining a pair of wedge-' shaped wells between said shells and opposite sides of said crossbar, said crossbar being curved about a horizontal axis, each said shellportionbeing curved about a different axis; closure means mounted between said shells, said closure means being arrangedand adapted to form with said shells a pair of diverging, open-ended sockets,

.and an elongated leg having an end portion slidably received inoneof, said sockets, said endportion including an integral resilient tongue extension comprising, a longitudinally curved sheet material element, said tongue ex- ;tension being wedged intosaid well when said portion is vreceived in said one of said sockets, and said tongue ex- I tension being deformed within saidwell to prevent the squeezed between the wall of member 10 and the wall formed by strap 15. As mentioned previously, thesetwo walls are curved about mutuallyperpendicular axes. Accordingly, different portions of the tongue 33 are deformed diiferentlyby said walls and due to the tongues natural resilience 'it presses tightlyor wedges against'said Walls thereby preventing'the leg from pulling out of joint member 12 even when the play gym isrocked'vigorouslyin i use.

Yet, each leg 11 is easily removedfrom its corresponding joint member 12 for disassemblingthe gym by simply striking the end of a crossbar 10 with a sharp upward blow which suffices to disengage the tongue 33 of the leg from its-corresponding pocket22whereupon the leg' can be slid completely 'out'of'its socket. a I

, Still referring to FIG. '5, as mentioned previously each closure means 24 is formed with a pair of L-shaped tongue extensions or detents 28. When the closure. means are properly positioned on shells 17, the detents 28 are seento overhang the upper. end of the sockets for' func pulling out of the leg from said one of said sockets.

2. An outdoor play gym of the type requiring no-nuts, bolts, screws and the like to secure the legs thereto comprising: a generally cylindrical. crossbar for supporting a swing; a pair of similar elongated generally rectangular straps positioned cross-wise on said crossbar near opposite ends thereof, each of said straps having an intermediate portion in conforming engagement with and secured to acircumferential wall portion ofjsaidcrossbar and having opposite unengaged end portions bowed inwardly about the longitudinal axis of said strap thereby forming I a pair of diverging opposing cylindrical shells, the portion 7 of eachofsaid shellsv adjacent said crossbar being generally saddle-shaped for 'defining a pair of wedge-shaped Lwells between said shells and opposite sides of said crossbar; closure means mounted between said shells formed by-each of said straps, each ofvsaid closure means includ-.

ing a pair of similargenerallytriangular rigid platessecured together face to .face' between said shells, said plates having pairs of opposed icurved wings. extending out from correspondingside edges thereof'to and being secured to opposite side edges of adjacent ones of said shells thereby forming with said shells pairs of diverging open-ended sockets at each end of said crossbar and four elongated legs said legs having end portions slidably received in said sockets, said end portions including integral resilient tongue extensions each of said extensions comprising a longitudinally curved sheet material element, said tongue extensions being wedged into corresponding ones of said wells and said tongue extensions being deformed within said Wells to prevent the pulling out of said legs from their respective sockets.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Herbolsheirner 248-188 Bender 5130 Blu 287-54 Anderson 248-188 X Corner 248--188 Stiller 28754 10 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN OUTDOOR PLAY GYM OF THE TYPE REQUIRING NO NUTS, BOLTS, OR SCREWS AND THE LIKE TO SECURE THE LEGS THERETO COMPRISING: A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL CROSSBAR FOR SUPPORTING A SWING; AN ELONGATED STRAP POSITIONED CROSS-WISE ON SAID CROSSBAR NEAR AN END THEREOF, SAID STRAP HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION IN CONFORMING ENGAGEMENT WITH AND SECURED TO A CIRCUMFERENTIAL WALL PORTION OF SAID CROSSBAR AND HAVING OPPOSITE UNENGAGED END PORTIONS BOWED INWARDLY ABOUT THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID STRAP THEREBY FORMING A PAIR OF DIVERGING OPPOSING CYLINDERICAL SHELLS, THE PORTION OF EACH OF SAID SHELLS ADJACENT SAID CROSSBAR BEING GENERALLY SADDLE-SHAPED FOR DEFINING A PAIR OF WEDGESHAPED WELLS BETWEEN SAID SHELLS AND OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID CROSSBAR, SAID CROSSBAR BEING CURVED ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS, EACH SAID SHELL PORTION BEING CURVED ABOUT A DIFFERENT AXIS; CLOSURE MEANS MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID SHELLS, SAID CLOSURE MEANS BEING ARRANGED AND ADAPTED TO FORM WITH SAID SHELLS A PAIR OF DIVERGING, OPEN-ENDED SOCKETS, AND AN ELONGATED LEG HAVING AN END PORTION SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN ONE OF SAID SOCKETS, SAID END PORTION INCLUDING AN INTEGRAL RESILIENT TONGUE EXTENSION COMPRISING A LONGITUDINALLY CURVED SHEET MATERIAL ELEMENT, SAID TONGUE EXTENSION BEING WEDGED INTO SAID WELL WHEN SAID PORTION IS RECEIVED IN SAID ONE OF SAID SOCKETS, AND SAID TONGUE EXTENSION BEING DEFORMED WITHIN SAID WELL TO PREVENT THE PULLING OUT OF THE LEG FROM SAID ONE OF SAID SOCKETS. 